For many, there isn’t a single "a-ha" moment when creativity suddenly flows. Instead, it’s the simple, everyday experiences—and a nurturing environment—that help one build their creative muscle.
Nurturing creativity in children is essential. It helps them develop critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities and emotional expression, skills they'll carry throughout their lives.
Thankfully, encouraging children to be creative can be done in small, unexpected ways.
“So, your child just made up a silly song in the back of the car and keeps singing it over and over. Or maybe they're drumming a rhythmic pattern on the kitchen counter incessantly. Are you tempted to tell them to stop?” asks Amelia W. Fulmer, director of the Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center at Flagler Auditorium and a passionate advocate for arts and arts education in the region.
“Before you do that, take a minute to enjoy their creativity. Maybe dance to that rhythm or sing along with the song! Take the chance to appreciate and praise them for their cleverness.”
“Creativity can be quietly extinguished before we even realize it,”, Fulmer explains. Young children often create before they develop the technical skills for sophisticated artwork, but the process, not the product, is what really matters.
“If you observe your child’s creativity and take the time to reflect with them about their creations, you're giving them the confidence to trust their own ideas,” Fulmer says.
Promoting creativity in children can be surprisingly simple.
For younger children, it could be as easy as a set of Legos, turning them into budding engineers. Fulmer also recommends making up stories that revolve around a specific letter, like: “My name is Ally, I live in Alabama, and I love to eat apples...”
For older children, consider creative collaboration opportunities such as dance groups, theater programs or group art projects, which are often available through schools and community centers.
Creativity can also be woven into daily responsibilities. Make a fun playlist to listen to while cleaning a room or come up with creative projects as rewards for completing homework or chores. Encourage kids to think of creative ways to take ownership of their schedule.
“Look for resources in books—remember Mad Libs?” Fulmer suggests.
“There are also online resources like The Artful Parent, hobby and art supply stores, local community centers, theaters and drama classes. YouTube has some great music tutorials, too.”
Fulmer also recommends outdoor activities like scavenger hunts and building a nature kit by collecting leaves, shells, seeds and more.
“You are your child’s first teacher,” says Fulmer. By encouraging their creativity, you help them discover the world in imaginative ways.
